Novak Djokovic: Marco Cecchinato reveals Serb help ahead of French Open quarter-final
MARCO CECCHINATO has praised Novak Djokovic for taking his career to the next level as the duo prepare to clash in the French Open quarter-finals.
The two contenders will go head-to-head for the first time this afternoon on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
Cecchinato is the lowest ranked player left in the competition.
He had never gone past the first round of a Grand Slam until this summer and he will be hoping to pull off a huge upset against the former world No 1.
Although they have never before met on the tour, the pair have practised together on a number of occasions.
For me is amazing. Is a pleasure playing against Novak in quarter-final at Roland Garros
But Cecchinato claims he cannot take too much from the training sessions - although he is excited to face the Serbian.
“It is totally different from practice and to the match,” Cecchinato said smiling.
“For me it is amazing. It is a pleasure playing against Novak in the quarter-final at Roland Garros.
“For me, it is a pleasure.
“I think it started from the pre-season, because every day I was very focused on the practice on court and also in the gym.
“So I think this is the difference from the past.
“It is a big difference for me, because I started the year playing very well, so now this is the best moment of my life because I feel every match good, so I think this is the difference.”
Cecchinato, ranked No 72 in the world, has knocked out two top 10 players to reach the last eight.
Pablo Carreno Busta and David Goffin were the Italian's shock victims - and now he hopes to add Djokovic to that list.